S a l e t é I I

XXI - Estomac - Sept

"You'll come with me, won't you? If we're actually allowed to go?"

Uliana had been attempting to convince Klavdiya that additional outings would only ever be beneficial, regardless of whether or not they had a comfortable amount of resources at home, an endeavour that had so far been yielding mixed results. Following their meeting with Monet, the pair - along with Zisel and Cassia - had sat down around the ground floor fire more closely.

It looked as if they'd be going out soon either way, as the metal that the drum holding the flames consisted of had weakened, a visible split now present near its base on one side. If it grew any further, ashes would end up covering the floor.

"I don't know. I'd probably just slow you down."

"Don't say that. You'd be able to keep an eye on me. Stop me from getting into trouble, and all that."

Uliana had spoken as if she was making an offer with that last statement, almost like it was a prospect meant to entice her.

"You know the area better than Cassia, and you'd probably do a better job than Zisel, seeing as I could sneak away from her easier."

"You could at least give me a chance." Zisel insisted upon hearing that last remark, the air of defiance about her quickly getting a giggle from both Uliana and Klavdiya, whilst Cassie found herself smiling along with them.

Here they were, carrying on as usual, making each other laugh despite the imminent change of pace looming before them. She wasn't entirely sure how they continued to do it, but Cassia was going to continue to appreciate it, even if it didn't take her out of her concerns entirely. Worrying, to an extent, was going to be for the best.

After some time with the girls, staying relatively quiet for most of it as she allowed their commentary to flow, Cassia opted to seek out a spot where she could sit to do some more writing. She didn't wish to be alone entirely, as she found the voices of her friends rather comforting, and she came to the decision that the walkway above would serve as an ideal perch. She left Polina with Zisel, not wanting to take the small miss away from her when she was holding her so fondly.

Over the course of the past few days, Cassie had often sought the brief moments of peace that her journal could sometimes provide. It wasn't a sure method for staving off the ever-encroaching tedium that sometimes haunted the building, or whatever fresh uneasiness was currently trying to worm its way into the forefront of her thoughts, and yet there had been times where it had served her well. She still had half of the pages left, her attempts at poetry and a handful of little doodles now filling the most recent ones.

Well... "Attempts at poetry" might have been a bit much. They were more like scribbles in her eyes. Still, she could keep trying. Or, no, maybe she could keep some sort of diary...? That would have been quite a keepsake...

As she approached the stairs that would lead her up to the metal platform overhead, she instead ended up coming to a halt. Over to what was now her right, behind some of the larger remaining containers that had been piled up, Taya was once again drawing up large scenes on the ground, the youngster down on her hands and knees as she poured all of her focus into the task. This time, however, Monet was with her, leaning against those weary storage units as she observed the little one, the pair exchanging a few quiet words now and then. Taya sounded as if she was detailing the various fixtures that she was now colouring in.

"This is the roof."

"Why is it pink?"

"Because the roof is pink."

"Ohh, I see."

"The door is orange."

"Mhm."